Elinor was a little shocked to hear a mass of voices shouting around her; after a moment, it became apparent that it was the toads.

How can I understand them … Prose of the Potentate I; if I have a minion under my control that has an understanding of a language, then it is instantly translated both ways. Does that even work with animals … it does.

Her three new skeletons quickly moved to her side as Boss and his warriors kept their distance. She could feel the two creatures below her; one most certainly was a reanimated toad-man. She could feel the difference in their body type; the humans felt weaker and had a distinguishable physical structure that differed from the two below.

Even the two buried in the ground were distinctly different; the toad-man felt strong, but the other was even stronger, larger; this new creature was something else entirely from what she’d seen.

I have a secret weapon if things go south. What I really need to do is get a better understanding of these new skills I have, but I need time.

Boss’ voice gave her the impression that he was in his forties. “Keep it steady, boys, and keep any other bodies away from her. We’re in control, but that can change at a moment’s notice.” He shouted back at the others.

The toad to her right shifted his ax and shield a little. “Sir Fennel, are there more creatures like this beyond the gate?”

So, Boss’ name is Fennel, but I think I’ll stick with Boss.

“Don’t focus on that now, Denral,” Boss grunted. “This one has strange powers; if you get too close, it will pull green mist out of you.”

Creeper’s tone was feminine, fearful, and young. “It feels cold; it’s like a blizzard is running through your body.”

“Is that right?” Elinor asked. “Good to know.”

Every toad present froze except for Chief; he hurried forward, his two guards hesitating before following. He stopped beside Denral as Boss barked, “Valdar, keep your distance; if you die, then everything we’ve forged will fall with it!”

“It speaks, though!” Valdar’s voice was more aged than Elinor would have guessed. “It knows our language!”

“That, I do,” Elinor said with a slight smirk as her guards kept a close formation. She kept her vision on Valdar, identifying him as her link to time. “My name is Elinor. Valdar, was it? An interesting name. It’s definitely not a name I’d hear back…”

Her focus was diverted as the crystal let out a low hum, and another group of green toads entered the clearing. The company consisted of five blow-gun toads and their pet, carrying corpses in the basket on its back, and a second creature pulling a cage.

Inside the cage was a snake woman; she had the upper body of a woman in her twenties and the lower body of a vibrant, green, and black patterned serpent. The color more than identified it as a dangerous looking snake; Elinor would have shrunk away from any serpent that put off that color.

The snake-woman wore a green dress, and was quite beautiful; her long moss-green hair was wet, sticking to her tear struck face. The dress she wore showed signs of struggle, cuts, and gashes were evident; black blood staining the fabric, but she didn’t seem hurt. She was bound by multiple vines, each one tied to the cage bars to keep her in place, and unable to struggle.

Valdar hummed thoughtfully as he turned to look at the caged woman. “Ah, it looks like the Clavex Clan has captured their own interesting creature. It’s similar to the Nalvean Great Chief; no wonder they focused so heavily on that one.” Noticing Elinor’s shifted focus, he asked, “Do you happen to know that creature? Can it speak our language, as well?”

Elinor paid him no mind; her focus wasn’t on the snake-woman but centered on the first creature. There were several bodies of toads, clearly separated from the human corpses by a divider. She swallowed nervously, mind numb; in the basket full of humans, she found the face of her father. He was alive, but it looked like he was mortally wounded. She knew just by seeing the blood running down his left arm, hanging over the basket, and the red stains across his visible stomach that he wouldn’t make it.

They killed my father … he’s going to die. My dad’s dead? That’s not possible; he can’t die … my dad’s invincible … he’s supposed to be invincible. He’s my dad … what about mom?

Her thoughts spiraled out of control; Emotional Loss unable to suppress the fear and misery that ran through her mind, but her body was unaffected by her emotional struggle. She stood stock-still, glowing green irises darting between her father’s soon to be corpse and her oblivious mother. Tiffany was looking down at her rat; she could see the relief on her mother’s face as she read the message.

She hasn’t seen dad’s … no, she can’t see him; it’s too dark. What do I do? What can I do? He’s going to die; there’s nothing I can do to stop it… no, there has to be something! Do I have a healing spell? What about something that can heal … Skeletal Priest! Can I make one of my skeletons one? Why won’t you answer me?

I can’t, but why? What are the requirements to make a Skeletal Priest … experience; they need to gain enough experience to select a Class and Subclass. Shit! If I can kill these toads, but … I can’t kill them like I am, they’re an army. It’s not fair! What did I do to deserve this? Tell me what I can do! Tell me, dammit! You’re useless!

What can I do? What can I … no, I’m a Necromancer, right? I’m a Lich! I can bring him back. No! Why would I even think about that? That means he dies, and I can’t … dad wouldn’t want to be a skeleton or zombie … it’s not right. I can’t do it … I can’t, but … but what’s the alternative? What can I do? Is turning my dad into an undead the only option?

Necromancers do it in movies … they can bring back their loved ones, but … but it’s usually bad … there’s a catch, or it isn’t really them. I can’t … am I really thinking about doing it? I’m running out of time; he’s dying, and I can’t save him … not while he’s alive. This is messed up … screwed up … wrong, but … but it has to work! These bastards are forcing me! I don’t want to! I don’t … but … but I have to...

Emotional Loss soon brought her panic attack under control, leaving rage to fill its place. She turned her cool features toward Valdar; with his deep hums and gestures, she was beginning to understand their physical behaviors. His fingers rubbed his chin thoughtfully as his legs bowed to squat a little.

He nudged Denral next to him. “Hey, boy, did you see that crease in its face? I think it recognized that creature. What do you think?”

“Eh, I don’t know, Elder Sage,” Danral mumbled, tightening his grip on his weapon and shield.

“Valdar,” Boss barked. “This isn’t time for your experiments! This creature is dangerous, and the warriors need to understand how to deal with it.”

“Oh, come now,” Valdar grumbled. “It seems fairly intelligent; we could learn much from it. Perhaps we could attain the key to controlling the dead, similar to the Clavex Clan’s Minstrels.”

“I want nothing to do with the Clavex Clan, Valdar,” Boss stated dangerously.

“Ah, right, right. Not the best subject with you,” Valdar sighed, tapping his chin. “Still, its Mysticism would be quite beneficial for the tribes.”

Elinor’s cold eyes stayed on her father as the creature stopped in the Clavex Clan’s camp, waiting for the workers to unload its cargo. They were slow about it, keeping a watchful eye on her and the grieving snake-woman.

Before anything, I need to escape with mom and dad. To do that, I’ll need to learn the extent of my new abilities. Focus … I can think about the awful possibilities later.

She took a deep breath; the action helped to calm her fractured mind. She was split with doubts that she could bring her father back, doubts about escaping with her mother and father alive, if this was all a nightmare, and if she was strong enough; the list was endless.

Monarch of Death seems to be one of my most powerful upgrades. The spells and abilities it gave me are Lesser Aura of Supremacy, Lesser Minion Mastery, Imperial Presence, Prose of the Potentate, and Call of the Empress.

I know what Prose of the Potentate does now; I can even understand animals to a certain extent with it. Talking to the local wildlife or even talking to any of the other local creatures might be an option later, but that skill won’t help me out of this situation. I can’t barter with these creatures; they hold all the cards, and Boss is too cautious.

What is Lesser Aura of Supremacy … an Aura Skill that is released upon donning the crown. It’s like a domination spell that imprints my superiority on the minds of weak-willed individuals. It doesn’t necessarily make them serve me but puts fear in their hearts. To the weakest willed creatures, I’m like a god, a being far superior to their pathetic existence. I can level this skill up, correct … yes. There must be a better way of learning about these skills. What if I ask … tell me everything you can about Lesser Aura of Supremacy.

Elinor’s vision shifted back to the snake-woman as her cries escalated, drawing everyone’s attention, but Boss barked orders at the three warriors, and the skill’s information filled her mind.

“Keep your guard up! You have brothers in arms around you; focus on the task ahead of you while your brothers watch your back. If it moves, kill it. If it makes more fire, kill it. If its undead soldiers move, kill them.”

Boss turned to the elderly toad. “Now, Valdar, we need to discuss what we want to do with this creature; so, can you quit gawking and tell me what you know.”

All of the distractions gave Elinor the time to identify her new abilities, and the information that downloaded into her mind was almost instantaneous, causing little time to pass to fully understand her skills.

Lesser Aura of Supremacy I; Passive Aura Skill, Magical Type, Mental Attack, Constant, No Cost, Level One, Novice Grade, Rank One. It activates from my crown, extending outward in a twenty-foot radius. If someone sees me beyond its effects, then they will obviously not have any reaction, but once they enter that radius, then it will attack their minds.

By wearing the crown, the proficiency of the skill will increase, expanding its ability to influence people with stronger wills. Proficiencies can only function so far, though; I’ll need to upgrade the skill level to better the multipliable function of high proficiency.

It has no cost besides what Monarch of Death drains, and has no cooldown. It basically always casts Horrify around me; a mental attack that mentally paralyzes my foes, but it does have a lesser Fear Sub-Skill that causes unease if Horrify fails. If it can’t stomp out a target’s will, then it will attempt to instill fear. It seems fairly simple; the status and leveling systems might be complicated, but the skill itself is clear.

It’s linked to Imperial Presence; it sounded similar. Tell me everything you can about it.

Imperial Presence; Reactive Skill, Linked to Monarch of Death, Racial Ability Type, Mental Attack, Constant, No Cost, Level Five, Novice Grade, Rank Four. It activates from me, not the crown, but is linked to Monarch of Death and by proxy Lesser Aura of Supremacy to enhance its effects. It has no cost as a Racial Trait, and it is constantly active, even without Monarch of Death.

Everyone that sees me, no matter the distance, will know that I hold power. It also affects me, my posture, and the way I present myself. It basically forces me to be more dignified. I have felt a lot different since changing.

It’s not a comforting thought, being controlled by these skills, but I could consider it like gravity; it’s a natural force that is just another part of the universe, and I must deal with it. I find it distasteful to accept, which is likely another natural part of me being a Lich, but I also see no reasonable cause to fight against it when my attention could be better spent.

Her decision to accept this new person she’d become was swift and decisive as she moved onto the next skill. Tell me everything about Call of the Empress.

Call of the Empress I; Active Skill, Magical Type, Summoning, Seven Day Cooldown, Costs Ten Percent, Level One, Novice Grade, Rank Zero. Sends a nova of life energy out that raises all corpses within a thirty meter radius from my current position. It bypasses my summoning limit, being completely independent.

The summons will last ten minutes and are equivalent to the strongest base skeleton I can create, mixed with a portion of their previous living stats, and best-suited class, determined by The System. The Undead of the summoner cannot be revived; once the flames of life have been extinguished, the corpse is unusable, and that includes those brought back with this spell.

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That’s a bit disappointing, but it’s perfect; just what I needed. However, a seven-day cooldown? How am I supposed to raise its proficiency level with a delay like that? Although, I guess it’s my big panic spell. Still, it requires usable corpses nearby. If I’m being overwhelmed, but my forces are causing some casualties, then I suppose it might be useful, but it is a really niche spell. Base skeleton, though … that means there are stronger skeletons I can create than base, more than just Skeletal Priests. I do have my Royal Court, too. That’s for later.

Call of the Empress would be best used during a state of shock, and it makes the mindless kind of soldiers; if the corpse of a person cannot be used again, then I have to use this spell before my dad dies.

Her heart ached at the thought, but Emotional Loss quickly subdued the feelings, replacing it with reasoning.

Even if mom and dad die, I might be able to bring them back, but I’ll need a stronger type of summoning spell to bring them back as they are, something like the Royal Court Titles; however, before any of that, we need to escape. The last skill is Lesser Minion Mastery; tell me everything about it.

Lesser Minion Mastery I; Passive Skill, Magical Type, Enhancement, Constant, Cost is Monarch of Death being active, Level One, Novice Grade, Rank Zero. Doubles the Lich's base minion amount, not stacking with other minion increases. It awards all minions in range with 5% bonus stats, excluding Tenacity, and awards an extra 15% experience.

Alright, what does Tenacity cover … weaknesses and penetration. I suppose that means they won’t scale their resilience against status effects, elemental, and physical damage, and won’t have the best penetration. Still, all other stats, and bonus experience; it’s a useful skill. This should be enough to...

A turn in Boss’ and Valdar’s conversation brought her attention back to the toads.

“If you want to bring it back to your clan, then you can experiment there, but in a controlled environment. No bodies,” he turned to examine the area, “this is asking for … Nadraca!” He barked, catching sight of the new load of bodies being unloaded.

The other clan representatives froze at this sharp tone, stopping what they were doing to look at Boss puffing himself up threateningly.

One of the slim green toads with a purple glowing necklace exited the small group surrounding the snake-woman’s cage, flanked by three toads carrying small shields and daggers, and one blow-gun toad that kept a bit of a distance.

The important looking toad replied, and its voice was feminine. “Fennel, I heard that you stole one of the odd ones.”

“Stole,” Boss growled. “Lacord tried to swoop in and claim part in the capture, but he was overstepping his bounds, just as your other group is. All things are to be split between the clans; tell your men to bring the bodies to the representatives for distribution.”

“The gate’s closing,” Nadraca chuckled, “and I see you’ve taken a liking to your own little prey.” She mused, glancing in her direction. “Some of my men were getting restless, thinking you’d try and take it all for yourself.”

“We’ll pay the appropriate price for the exception, Priestess of the Nalvea,” Valdar interjected as he moved in a wide circle around her to join the conversation. Stroking his chin, he eyed the cage. “I can understand why you’d take an interest in such a specimen, and wish to do the same, claiming rights as finder, and the loss to your forces, but…”

He paused as he glanced back at the mortally wounded and already dead people in the baskets in the Clavex Clan’s camp, her dad still inside, panting weakly. “However, I think Sir Fennel saw you were bringing back all those creatures without being processed, but” he shook his head, tone mournful, “I think we both know you wouldn’t do that, correct? You were just returning the bodies of your fallen comrades before bringing the spoils to be sorted.”

“Hmm,” Nadraca said in an amused tone. “Ever the wise one, the Great Sage Elder, Valdar. I see you’re just as High Priestess Korina described.”

An annoyed hum shot through Boss’ throat, causing the guards around Nadraca to lower their bodies, ready for action, but it was clear that they were a bit distracted by her.

After a moment, Nadraca giggled. “Yes, indeed, Elder,” she said, waving her hand. The blow-gun toad returned to the camp, husky voice hard.

“Just as the Priestess planned, take the corpses of our fallen warriors and put them on the Boat of Remembrance; once that is complete, bring the creatures excluding the offering to be sorted.”

Nadraca’s attention shifted to her. “I must say, Valdar, from what Lacord told me, this creature is most fascinating.” She glanced between her skeletons. “A controller of the…”

Elinor shifted from her stationary position, causing the others to pause, focus sharpening. Her ghostly green eyes moved to the humming crystal; the image of the town was becoming hazy as cracks started appearing. Her tone was cold, but her insides were squirming. “You said the gate was closing? Is there no way back once it’s gone?”

“It speaks our language?” Nadraca’s tone held shock.

Boss’ tone grew even sharper. “Denral, Grem, Forva, keep your guard up; one move from the skeletons.”

Elinor’s features creased with mild irritation. “I asked you a question.” Turning her head to Valdar, she asked again. “Is there no way back once it’s gone?”

The old toad’s face creased, and his tone was thoughtful. “Why do you ask, Elinor? Were you perhaps hoping to go back through to your world? You have the air of a ruler; is that what makes you different? Are you the ruler of that world?”

“I didn’t think of that,” Boss muttered. “If it was a ruler, then its defenses were weak. That world must be new to the gateways.”

“What of the other creature?” Nadraca asked, unable to hide her excitement. “Is that a ruler, as well?”

They aren’t answering my question, and they’re smart enough not to, but at the same time, by all appearances, this gate will close. Boss’ response makes it clear that more will open, but that’s not a guarantee that they’ll lead back to Earth. This was some kind of alien invasion, but by their response, I doubt they know how to create or open these crystals.

What can I learn? Boss is too focused on keeping me contained, Nadraca is just looking for information, and Valdar is probing to understand my mind and past. The information I can gain from them will be minimal at best, and time is running out. My mom and dad are separated, but if I raise skeletons near them, then they can bring them to me.

The issue is these three and their bodyguards. It’s very likely that the group between me and the crystal are their strongest. The safest option would be to have my skeletons carry mom and dad into the jungle during the initial chaos and pull all the focus toward me.

Her eyes darted back to the crystal as more cracks appeared. I don’t have time to plan everything. I need to act now.

The camps were spaced eighty feet from the crystal, but the distribution area was closer to the Valdar and Nadrac’s tribes, both clans within her ability’s one-hundred-foot range.

Opening her mouth, she turned her cold eyes to Valdar, “Come forth,” activating Call of the Empress as she told her two awaiting minions below to surface.

She felt her total energy plummet, and without warning, a nova of green fire erupted from around her body. Nearly every toad flinched, throwing up their hands or shields as the flames passed through them. However, there were three exceptions.

Boss darted forward at a sharp pace, shield off his back within seconds; he charged through the flames with his shield raised defensively, moving to run her over.

Valdar muttered, “Maleda,” throwing up his hands; a pale blue light surrounded Denral and him, causing the flames to flow around it, but continue unhindered.

Nadraca smoothly touched her necklace, causing a bright light to emit from her body.

Just before Boss smashed into her, the earth exploded underneath them; chunks of dirt pelted the toads and her alike. A bony, massive clawed hand, the size of Boss himself, smashed into his shield, shattering it like kindling. He grunted as he was sent flying back toward the crystal. He disappeared, slipping through the cracking structure.

“Sir Fennel!” Valdar and Denral yelled, backing up as her skeletal beast exposed its flaming body.

Elinor had retreated a bit, knowing where her new minion was going to emerge and commanded it to pick her up. She watched its bony left hand race toward her, but the grip was gentle; its fingers closed around her frail body, lifting her up as it rose to its full height. She got her first good look at the new creature under her control, and she heard the gasps of the toads around her.

Nadraca took several steps back, the white glow around her shining as she stared up at the monster. She gasped, “A Quen’Talrat … it—prepare for battle!” She yelled, but her ranks were already devolving into chaos.

Over eight dozen skeletal forms began to rise, including Nadraca’s deceased toads, still within the range of her spell. Nadraca looked back at the now brightly lit clearing as the flames devoured flesh, muscles, and organs, leaving the ghastly white boned visage of the burning undead.

The beast that held its Empress was over fifteen feet tall; clumps of dirt dropped off its white bones as the fire raged along its frame, and it used one of its four arms to balance itself as it rose. The skeletal beast resembled a massive gorilla with thick bones, but this beast had two ape-like heads and two long tails that whipped at Boss’ men.

They tried to defend, but the strike took them off their feet, shattered their shields, and threw them back several paces, rolling across the shallow water. Valdar nimbly jumped over the tails, retreating a few paces. More toads recovered, rushing in to surround her.

Valdar was laughing. “Marvelous; to bring back this devil … truly, marvelous!”

“Valdar,” Nadraca yelled. “This is no time to admire it; if this thing can bring back the Quen’Talrat army, then our entire race is at risk! How … how do we stop it? It’s already dead...”

Without hesitation, Valdar’s long tongue shot out, aimed at her crown; it was nearly too quick for Elinor to follow, but the Quen’Talrat’s right hand was like lightning, blocking the strike.

“The crown,” Valdar called out as his tongue returned. His tone was off; clearly, the swat had damaged the organ. “It seems to grant her power; remove the crown! Gah, this’ll be a little more difficult than I thought. It’s not at full strength; else broken shields would be the least of our worries.” He grumped as he caught sight of her rising army.

“Ze’latrha!” He shouted, causing blue mist to surround them and vines to shoot out from the surrounding jungle to entangle her creature, but the skeletal beast snapped them with ease; its three free arms, two legs, and two tails were a whirlwind of activity as it forced the throng back.

Both heads turned to stare between Valdar and Nadraca, identifying them as the threats, and causing the female toad to trip and fall back. She was tensing with horror as its burning eye sockets hounded her, and the creature opened both mouths, letting out a thunderous roar that shot down Elinor’s frame, but she couldn’t help but let a smile play at the corners of her lips.

Perfect. She glanced around the area; the path to the crystal was blocked by several toads, and the threat of Boss, likely recovering and on his way back; it wasn’t the best direction to take. Quickly identifying the closest minions to her parents, she directed them to free and escort them into the forest.

Two of the skeletal toads carried her likely delirious father into the jungle as two human skeletons helped free her mother, escorting her and a few other women into the dense foliage that followed with her mother’s prompts. The rest of her troop was finding weapons and battling toads.

What’s mom thinking? Bringing more with her is going to make her a target…

The thought froze as she caught Valdar’s sharp eyes surveying the scene; he began to take charge with Boss gone. “All clans, battle plan B, and if you see the skeletons … there, those two groups, pursue them.”

Elinor’s heart dropped, he’d pointed right at her parents. He was looking to see if I cared enough to save anyone … he really is smart. Then I need to cause a bigger distraction that will force his men back.

Valdar cursed as her Quen’Talrat swiped at him again, causing him to retreat. “Dammit, Nadraca, is this your first real battle? Quit panicking! You’re supposed to be a Priestess; so lock the bloody thing down! This is a Quen’Talrat Elite Hunter, but from what I’ve seen, it’s not even a fifth of its original strength…”

Her vision centered on the cage with the snake-woman inside. Bingo. She ordered her skeletons to fight their way to the cage and release the woman, her guardian included.

She couldn’t help but feel her stomach twist as the strange ape-like creature bent its legs low and jumped forty feet into the air, launching toward the massive surrounding trees.

“Shit,” Valdar spat as two more tongues shot out from some of his tribesmen, but their strike was deflected by her creature’s two tails, splitting to defend both sides.

The creature’s three free arms, legs, and two tails found grip wherever they swung, climbing further into the trees as Valdar screamed orders, and she heard Boss’ voice joining his. The surprising thing about the creature was how silent it was while doing its acrobatics. She felt her hair rise with the ghostly veil, but her crown was secure.

The undead creature was interpreting her desires in a way to better cause panic, and an unseen fifteen-foot tall gorilla monster that could drop down at any moment was definitely a threat as it moved them further up the trees, breaking through the canopy for a moment to position them over the snake woman’s cage before it hit her. She had her powerful minion halt at the treetops. She sensed the guards she’d sent to protect her parents were not yet under attack.

Is this my first semi-intelligent Undead? It certainly seems a lot more powerful. With how quick it is, I can use this opportunity to save them myself. They don’t know where I’m going; I could be going to save my parents, waiting to drop down to assassinate one of them, drop down on the crystal to escape, release the snake-woman and a million other objectives. They don’t know what my goals are.

No … I did give them some hints. From my question, they could interpret it that I don’t want to go back, and I’m happy the crystal’s breaking. Now, I’m escaping into the jungle since I’ve gotten rid of Boss, a threat that initially captured me.

Another option is that I’m playing them, and everything’s a distraction, and once Boss comes back through, I’ll jump in, but that would be less likely since I could have had my ape jump back in instead of up. They’ll definitely figure out that I’m either escaping or trying to save these two random humans. At least they don’t know our connection.

She took a glance around the area, now able to see the full extent of the jungle.

It’s massive … I don’t think I can get my parents back before the crystal closes. We’re going to be stuck here … and I thought the humanitarian trip sucked...

Within sight, there were rolling hills that spiked into the sky, entirely covered by foliage, and there were massive mountains to her right that soared into the heavens; they might have been as tall as the Great Rocky Mountains. Part of the range was green while the other half was scarred and rocky. A barren waste seemed to extend beyond the rocky mountains, and it seemed as if plumes of smoke billowed up from fissures in its side.

I doubt the toads function well in that kind of environment. It’s the best option I can see to try and sort everything out … I just have to not think about the crystal breaking. There’s likely more … there has to be.

Her minions communicated to her that they’d successfully freed the snake-woman, and she told them to start a fire if they could, giving them the task to cause as much mayhem as possible and to support the snake-woman if she decided to stay and kill.

With that taken care of, she told her minions carrying her parents to turn toward the scarred landscape she’d seen and told her guardian to bring them to her mother since she had the weakest guards.

This is all one massive nightmare!